Rhode Island assault weapons ban passes committee setting up floor vote

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Rhode Island has moved one step closer to banning assault weapons.

The House Judiciary Committee approved the ban in a 12-6 vote on Tuesday, setting up for a floor vote later this week.

Fully automatic weapons, like machine guns, are already illegal in the state.

The Assault Weapons Ban Act of 2025 would impact the purchase, sale and possession of semi-automatic shotguns, rifles and pistols that meet specific features outlined in the act.

Rhode Islanders who have an assault-style weapon before July 1, 2026 will be able to legally keep them.

Owners can register their gun for a certificate of possession, but it’s no longer mandatory if the ban goes into law.

Both sides of the gun debate are chiming in about the passage.

The Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence said they are “Thrilled to have made it this far in the legislative process.”

Meanwhile, House Minority Leader Michael Chippendale said the bill will face immediate legal challenges if it were to become law, and added, in part “This bill punishes the people who follow the law, while doing nothing to deter those who commit crimes with illegal firearms.”

A floor vote on the final bill could happen as early as Thursday.